Dog Allergies Treatment For Your Dogs Comfort And Health

People respond to allergens with sneezing and nasal congestion, dogs develop itchy skin. Licking, biting, and scratching leads to hair loss and open sores. Dog allergies treatment requires investigation into the many possible causes of an allergic reaction.

To control itching and scratching avoid or reduce your pets exposure to the allergen and treat the symptoms. Sometimes immunotherapy is needed to desensitize the dog to a common allergen that can’t be avoided. A vet makes the diagnosis after a physical exam. Sometimes lab tests are required to identify a cause. Your vet may prescribe antihistamines and/or corticosteroids. Medicated shampoos and sprays provide temporary relief of itching.

Food sensitivities cause itching skin, anal itching, ear inflammations, and occasionally vomiting, diarrhea, or asthma-like coughing. Allergies develop over time so don’t rule out food because the dogs diet is unchanged. Many commercial foods are available to help. Finding the correct ingredients is trial and error, but once a food is found that doesn’t trigger your dogs sensitivities, the new diet is as good as a cure.

Many dogs are hypersensitive to flea saliva. One bite results in itching, biting, and scratching for a week. Most topical flea solutions work after the adult flea has bitten, so these aren’t enough. A flea control plan for the pet, house, and yard is necessary. Wash dog bedding with hot water. Check with your vet before applying chemicals that may be more harmful than fleas. Limit walks to sidewalks and roadways, away from trails frequented by wildlife. Oatmeal baths provide temporary relief for itchy skin. Corticosteroids provide quick relief from inflammation. Antihistamines are prescribed for long term relief.

The most common dog allergies are inhalant (atopy), such as dust mites, pollen, and molds. Reduce exposure to dust and pollen by frequent cleaning and use of air cleaners. Close the windows and run the air conditioner. A dehumidifier will reduce mold. Eliminate mold from the soils in houseplant pots by covering with a layer of activated charcoal.

Manage itchy skin with weekly baths using oatmeal or a medicated shampoo. Your vet may recommend a topical spray or ointment for relief from localized itching. Many antihistamines are safe for dogs, but not all. Check with a vet for safe choices and dosages. You may need to try several to find an antihistamine that works for your dog without causing drowsiness. If your dog is scratching continuously creating open sores, your vet will probably recommend corticosteroids. These are generally used for seasonal allergies or short term relief of serious allergies. They suppress the immune system so they aren’t safe for prolonged use. Omega-3 is a fatty acid that acts as an anti-inflammatory by reducing the histamine and other compounds released in response to an allergen. It’s safe and can be combined with antihistamines to reduce the need for corticosteroids.

For chronic allergies, you vet may do skin testing to identify the cause. Shots are formulated with small extracts of the problem allergen. The pet owner is able to give regular shots to his pet from his home. This is called immunotherapy. It’s very effective long term but it takes 6-12 months to start seeing the benefits.

Continued biting and scratching can lead to open sores which can become infected, requiring antibiotics. Seeking dog allergies treatment early can reduce the need for corticosteroids and antibiotics, medications that come with more side effects.

 

About the Author:
I’m a family pet health professional who specializes in treating dog allergies.